As veteran state Rep. Michael Kane, D-Holyoke, who is resigning his post for a job at Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, transitions to the role of citizen Kane, he’s leaving a political scramble in his wake.

Kane announced his decision to take the private job last week – too late for his name to be removed from the Sept. 6 primary ballot. That leaves Holyoke City Councilor Aaron Vega as the only Democratic contender – unless someone mounts a write-in campaign.

It’s unfortunate that Kane, who heard about the Columbia job in March, didn’t resign the post prior to the May 1 filing deadline, giving other candidates a shot at making the primary ballot. Kane said he didn’t know he was likely to get the job until the filing deadline.

In announcing his leave-taking, Kane seemed to be practicing his new vocation as a lobbyist, urging voters to write in a candidate who is more in sync with his own views than Vega is.

“I’d like to see somebody from the public step forward,” Kane said. Asked if that means he will support only someone other than Vega, Kane said. “Yes, other than Vega.”

Further questioned, Kane said if such a candidate fails to emerge, it’s OK to give Vega the nod.

We hope voters think for themselves on Sept. 6 and choose the candidate they want to represent them – not the candidate Kane supports.

Under state law, Kane must register as a lobbyist and is prohibited from dealing with the House and Senate for a year. He can deal immediately with the executive-branch offices in state government, however.

There’s a long tradition of politicians jumping ship to the private sector to lobby former colleagues for a corporate cause. We don’t blame them.